Crime

Sheriff: Man ran beating victim off road when she tried to escape

PORT ANGELES, Wash. -- A 34-year-old man has been arrested for investigation of domestic violence after allegedly beating a woman and then running her off the road when she tried to escape.

According to the Clallam County Sheriff's Office, Michael Huntzinger of Port Angeles assaulted a woman he was in a relationship with several times on Saturday and prevented her from calling for help.

The victim was able to escape and drive off, but Huntzinger followed in another car and drove her off the road and into a ditch on SR-112 near the Elwha River Bridge, according to the Sheriff's Office.

Deputies responded to the unoccupied car in the ditch around 1:30 a.m. Sunday and learned witnesses had seen a second car leaving the scene and heading toward Port Angeles.

According to the Sheriff's Office, law-enforcement officers stopped the car, finding Huntzinger and the victim inside.

Huntzinger was arrested and booked into jail for investigation of unlawful imprisonment, assault, interfering with reporting of domestic violence and domestic-violence malicious mischief.